CPAP Tips
What
is Nasal CPAP ?
Nasal CPAP is
the most common and effective treatment for Obstructive
Sleep Apnea. This treatment provides air pressure, which acts like a pneumatic
splint to keep the airway open. The air is delivered through a mask applied
over the person's nose. The air pressure prevents the airway
from collapsing
in sleep, thereby abolishing the apneic episodes and associated frequent awakenings
from sleep.
The level of air pressure required to keep a person's airway open
is determined through an overnight sleep study with nasal CPAP called a CPAP
titration. After determining an optimal pressure, the patient's CPAP unit is
set at that pressure for home use. Continuous home use of CPAP will lead to
improvements in sleep quality, blood oxygen levels, and daytime symptoms such
as sleepiness and/or fatigue. It should, however, be noted that nasal CPAP prevents
this collapse of upper airway during use, but it does not "cure" snoring and
sleep apnea. |
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Obstructive Sleep Apnea is a long-term condition (unless there
is a significant amount of weight loss), and CPAP therapy will likely be needed
for as long as the condition exists. If the person does not use his/her CPAP device for one night, the apnea and
snoring will return. |
How
do I get CPAP device ?
Once you are diagnosed
with Obstructive Sleep Apnea, and a sleep specialist has recommended CPAP treatment,
you will be contacted for a CPAP titration in the sleep lab to determine an
optimal CPAP pressure to abolish your sleep apnea.
The level of your optimal CPAP pressure will be forwarded to a Respiratory Homecare
Company and they will contact you to make arrangements for setting you with
a CPAP device and all the necessary equipment to begin CPAP Therapy at home.
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